Random access channel response handling with aggregated component carriers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are methods, computer program instructions and apparatus for performing random access procedures in a wireless communication system. A method includes receiving at a network access node, in different time and frequency resources that are allocated for preamble transmission, and in different ones of a plurality of component carriers, a plurality of random access requests from individual ones of a plurality of user equipments; and transmitting a corresponding plurality of random access responses in a time and frequency resource of a single component carrier.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relategenerally to wireless communication systems, methods, devices andcomputer programs and, more specifically, relate to random accesschannel signaling techniques between a mobile node and a network accessnode.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to provide a background or context to theinvention that is recited in the claims. The description herein mayinclude concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily onesthat have been previously conceived, implemented or described.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in thissection is not prior art to the description and claims in thisapplication and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in thissection.

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specificationand/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

3GPP third generation partnership project

DL downlink (eNB towards UE)

DwPTS downlink pilot time slot

eNB EUTRAN Node B (evolved Node B)

EPC evolved packet core

EUTRAN evolved UTRAN (LTE)

FDD frequency division duplex

FDMA frequency division multiple access

GP guard period

LTE long term evolution

MAC medium access control

MM/MME mobility management/mobility management entity

Node B base station

OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access

O&M operations and maintenance

PDCP packet data convergence protocol

PDCCH physical downlink control channel

PDSCH physical downlink shared channel

PHY physical (layer 1)

PRACH physical random access channel

RA-RNTI random access radio network temporary identity

RACH random access channel

RLC radio link control

RRC radio resource control

SGW serving gateway

SC-FDMA single carrier, frequency division multiple access

TDD time division duplex

T-CRNTI temporary cell random access radio network temporary identity

TTI transmission timing interval

UE user equipment

UL uplink (UE towards eNB)

UpPTS uplink pilot time slot

UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network

The specification of a communication system known as evolved UTRAN(EUTRAN, also referred to as UTRANLTE or as EUTRA) is currently nearingcompletion within the 3GPP. As specified the DL access technique isOFDMA, and the UL access technique is SC-FDMA.

One specification of interest is 3GPP TS 36.300, V8.7.0 (2008-12), 3rdGeneration Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group RadioAccess Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) andEvolved Universal Terrestrial Access Network (EUTRAN); Overalldescription; Stage 2 (Release 8), incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. This system may be referred to for convenience as LTERel-8, or simply as Rel-8. In general, the set of specifications givengenerally as 3GPP TS 36.xyz (e.g., 36.211, 36.311, 36.312, etc.) may beseen as describing the entire Release 8 LTE system.

FIG. 1A reproduces FIG. 4.1 of 3GPP TS 36.300, and shows the overallarchitecture of the EUTRAN system. The EUTRAN system includes eNBs,providing the EUTRA user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane(RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The eNBs are interconnectedwith each other by means of an X2 interface. The eNBs are also connectedby means of an S1 interface to an EPC, more specifically to a MME(Mobility Management Entity) by means of a S1 MME interface and to aServing Gateway (SGW) by means of a S1 interface. The S1 interfacesupports a many to many relationship between MMEs/Serving Gateways andeNBs.

The eNB hosts the following functions:

functions for Radio Resource Management: Radio Bearer Control, RadioAdmission Control, Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic allocation ofresources to UEs in both uplink and downlink (scheduling);

IP header compression and encryption of the user data stream;

selection of a MME at UE attachment;

routing of User Plane data towards Serving Gateway;

scheduling and transmission of paging messages (originated from theMME);

scheduling and transmission of broadcast information (originated fromthe MME or O&M); and

a measurement and a measurement reporting configuration for use inmobility and scheduling.

In the present LTE system preamble responses are sent utilizing both thePDCCH and the PDSCH. Each RACH resource (time and frequency resourcereserved for preamble transmission) is associated with a RA-RNTI (randomaccess radio network temporary identity). When the base station (eNB)observes a preamble, it transmits the preamble response on the PDSCH ona resource that is indicated by a PDCCH addressed with the RA-RNTI. Morespecifically, when a Random Access Response message is transmitted, theCRC word of the corresponding PDCCH is masked by RA-RNTI. When searchinga preamble response the UE tries to find a RA-RNTI masking correspondingto the frequency and time resource that the UE had used when sending itspreamble. In this manner the preamble response on the PDSCH isunambiguously associated with preambles transmitted on a certaintime-frequency resource.

The system is flexible in the sense that the base station canacknowledge in the same PDSCH message several preambles that have beentransmitted in the same RACH resource, but that carry differentsignatures (preamble sequences). In addition, the responses can be sentin a time window that is configurable up to a duration of 10 ms.

In the present LTE system the responses to a set of UEs that listen tothe same RA-RNTI can be combined into the same message. However,responses corresponding to different RA-RNTI cannot be combined, andPDCCH and PDSCH messages must be sent separately for each RA-RNTI (i.e.,each RACH time-frequency resource). Considering the limited PDCCHresources this is not an efficient procedure. Because the base stationdoes not know the channel state of the UEs, a PDCCH entry for a preambleresponse must be heavily coded, which consumes significant PDCCHresources. This can lead to problems, especially in the TDD system ofLTE where several PRACH resources can exist in one subframe, and whererandom access responses cannot be distributed in time as flexibly as inthe FDD system. This is true at least for the reason that in the TDDsystem there are gaps in the PDCCH due to subframes reserved for UL.

One LTE specification of interest herein is 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0(2008-12) Technical Specification 3rd Generation Partnership Project;Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and modulation(Release 8). As is stated in subclause 4.2, the frame structure type 2is applicable to TDD.

The PRACH is described in subclause 5.7 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0.

Another LTE specification of interest herein is 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0(2009-03) Technical Specification 3rd Generation Partnership Project;Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA); Medium Access Control (MAC) protocoldefinition (Release 8). The specification describes in subclause 5.1 theoverall Random Access procedure followed by the UE, in subclause 5.1.3the Random Access Preamble transmission, and in subclause 5.1.4 theRandom Access Response reception.

For example, as currently specified for Rel-8 in subclause 5.1.4 “RandomAccess Response reception”, once the Random Access Preamble istransmitted and regardless of the possible occurrence of a measurementgap, the UE shall monitor the PDCCH for Random Access Response(s)identified by the RA-RNTI defined below, in the RA Response window whichstarts at the subframe that contains the end of the preambletransmission plus three subframes and has length ra-ResponseWindowSizesubframes. The RA-RNTI associated with the PRACH in which the RandomAccess Preamble is transmitted, is computed as:

RA-RNTI=1+t_id+10*f_id,

where t_id is the index of the first subframe of the specified PRACH(0≦t_id<10), and f_id is the index of the specified PRACH within thatsubframe, in ascending order of frequency domain (0≦f_id<6). The UE maystop monitoring for Random Access Response(s) after successful receptionof a Random Access Response containing Random Access Preambleidentifiers that matches the transmitted Random Access Preamble.

It is further specified in subclause 5.1.4 that if a downlink assignmentfor this TTI has been received on the PDCCH for the RA-RNTI, and thereceived TB is successfully decoded, the UE shall regardless of thepossible occurrence of a measurement gap: if the Random Access Responsecontains a Backoff Indicator subheader:

-   -   set the backoff parameter value in the UE as indicated by the BI        field of the Backoff Indicator subheader and Table 7.2-1,    -   else, set the backoff parameter value in the UE to 0 ms.

If the Random Access Response contains a Random Access Preambleidentifier corresponding to the transmitted Random Access Preamble (seesubclause 5.1.3), the UE shall consider this Random Access Responsereception successful and process the received Timing Advance Command(see subclause 5.2) and indicate the preambleInitialReceivedTargetPowerand the amount of power ramping applied to the latest preambletransmission to lower layers (i.e.,(PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER−1)*powerRampingStep); process thereceived UL grant value and indicate it to the lower layers; ifra-PreambleIndex was explicitly signaled and it was not 000000 (i.e.,not selected by MAC) consider the Random Access procedure successfullycompleted.

If no Random Access Response is received within the RA Response window,or if none of all received Random Access Responses contains a RandomAccess Preamble identifier corresponding to the transmitted RandomAccess Preamble, the Random Access Response reception is considered notsuccessful and the UE shall, among other activities, if in this RandomAccess procedure the Random Access Preamble was selected by MAC: basedon the backoff parameter in the UE, select a random backoff timeaccording to a uniform distribution between 0 and the Backoff ParameterValue; delay the subsequent Random Access transmission by the backofftime; and proceed to the selection of a Random Access Resource (seesubclause 5.1.2).

Of particular interest herein are the further releases of 3GPP LTEtargeted towards future IMT-A systems, referred to herein forconvenience simply as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

Reference can be made to 3GPP TR 36.913, V8.0.1 (2009-03), 3rdGeneration Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group RadioAccess Network; Requirements for Further Advancements for E-UTRA(LTE-Advanced) (Release 8), incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. One element of the LTE-A system is the proposed use of the UHFband (698-960 MHz, referred to simply as 900 MHz) and a 2.3 GHz band(referred to simply as 2 GHz).

SUMMARY

The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages arerealized, by the use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

In a first aspect thereof the exemplary embodiments of this inventionprovide a method that comprises receiving at a network access node, indifferent time and frequency resources that are allocated for preambletransmission, and in different ones of a plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality of random access requests from individual ones ofa plurality of user equipments; and transmitting a correspondingplurality of random access responses in a time and frequency resource ofa single component carrier.

In another aspect thereof the exemplary embodiments of this inventionprovide an apparatus that comprises a controller configured to operatewith a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter. The controller isfurther configured to respond to a reception in different time andfrequency resources that are allocated for preamble transmission, and indifferent ones of a plurality of component carriers, a plurality ofrandom access requests from individual ones of a plurality of userequipments and to transmit a corresponding plurality of random accessresponses in a time and frequency resource of a single componentcarrier.

In yet another aspect thereof the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention provide a method that comprises receiving at a network accessnode, in a time and frequency resource associated with a first frequencyband, a random access request from a user equipment; and transmitting acorresponding random access response in a time and frequency resourceassociated with a second frequency band.

In yet another aspect thereof the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention provide a method that comprises transmitting to a networkaccess node, in a time and frequency resource of one of a plurality ofcomponent carriers, a random access request; and receiving a randomaccess response that is aggregated with other random access responses ina time and frequency resource of the same or a different componentcarrier.

In yet another aspect thereof the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention provide an apparatus that comprises a controller configured tooperate with a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, where thecontroller is further configured to transmit to a network access node ina time and frequency resource allocated for preamble transmission, ofone of a plurality of component carriers, a random access request, andto receive a random access response that is aggregated with other randomaccess responses in a time and frequency resource of the same or adifferent component carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached Drawing Figures:

FIG. 1A reproduces FIG. 4 of 3GPP TS 36.300 V 8.7.0, and shows theoverall architecture of the EUTRAN system.

FIG. 1B reproduces Table 4.2-2 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0: Uplink-downlinkconfigurations for the frame structure type 2.

FIG. 1C reproduces FIG. 4.2-1 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0, and shows theframe structure type 2.

FIGS. 1D-1G reproduce FIGS. 6.1.5-1 through 6.1.5-4 of 3GPP TS 36.321V8.5.0, and show the E/T/RAPID MAC subheader, the E/T/R/R/BI MACsubheader, the MAC RAR and an example of a MAC PDU containing a MACheader and MAC RARs, respectively.

FIG. 2A shows a simplified block diagram of various electronic devicesthat are suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments ofthis invention.

FIG. 2B shows a more particularized block diagram of a UE such as thatshown at FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 depicts a contiguous configuration of component carriers.

FIG. 4 shows an eNB operable with two UEs of different capability in anon-contiguous carrier aggregation network.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary TDD CC configuration.

FIG. 6 shows one exemplary embodiment of a signaling scheme to provideadditional information for those UEs 10 of a later release that is sentin a portion of a message that the UEs 10 of an earlier release regardas padding.

FIG. 7 shows an example of PRACH response for the non-contiguous carriernetwork.

FIG. 8 shows an example of PRACH response for the non-contiguous carriernetwork in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 9 depicts two exemplary embodiments (labeled A and B forconvenience) of the merging of preamble responses for UEs of differingcapabilities in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are each a logic flow diagram that illustrates theoperation of methods, and a result of execution of computer programinstructions embodied on a computer readable memory, in accordance withthe exemplary embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References herein to a Rel-8 UE generally encompass those UEs that arecompatible with the set of LTE Rel-8 specifications, including 3GPP TS36.211 V8.5.0 and 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0. References herein to a Rel-9 UEgenerally encompass those UEs that are generally compatible with the setof LTE Rel-8 specifications, including 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0 and 3GPP TS36.321 V8.5.0, but that may include additional functionality that is notexpressly specified for Rel-8 operation. References herein to an LTE-AUE generally encompass those UEs that may be considered as beyond Rel-8or Rel-9 UEs.

In LTE-A it is proposed that the total system bandwidth may have fromtwo to five component carriers (CCs). These CCs can be contiguous asshown in FIG. 3, where there are five CCs shown each having the Rel-8bandwidth, or non-contiguous as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (note in FIGS. 4and 5 that the CCs are from two separated bands, e.g., one bandwidth of10 MHz is from 2 GHz and another bandwidth of 5 MHz is from 900 MHz and,in total, the bandwidth of the two CCs is 15 MHz, and arenon-contiguous). At least in the case of non-contiguous carriers, theTDD UL/DL configurations may be different in the different carriers, asis shown more particularly in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 4 and 5 “D” indicates adownlink subframe, “U” indicates an uplink subframe, and “S” indicates aspecial subframe (see, generally 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0, subclause 4.2“Frame structure type 2”). FIG. 1B herein reproduces Table 4.2-2 of 3GPPTS 36.211 V8.5.0: Uplink-downlink configurations for the frame structuretype 2. FIG. 1C reproduces FIG. 4.2-1 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0, and showsthe frame structure type 2. The special subframe S has three fields:DwPTS, GP and UpPTS. The length of DwPTS and UpPTS is given by Table4.2-1 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0, subject to the total length of DwPTS, GPand UpPTS being equal to 30720·T_(s)=1 ms. Each subframe i is defined astwo slots, 2i and 2i+1 of length T_(slot)=15360·T_(s)=0.5 ms in eachsubframe. Uplink-downlink configurations with both 5 ms and 10 msdownlink-to-uplink switch-point periodicity are supported. In the caseof 5 ms downlink-to-uplink switch-point periodicity, the specialsubframe S exists in both half-frames. In the case of 10 msdownlink-to-uplink switch-point periodicity, the special subframe Sexists in the first half-frame only. Subframes 0 and 5 and DwPTS arealways reserved for downlink transmission. UpPTS and the subframeimmediately following the special subframe are always reserved foruplink transmission.

In the first step of a Random Access (RA) procedure, the UE selects a CCand transmits a preamble sequence on that CC using a frequency and timeresource reserved for preambles. The UE then searches for a preambleresponse indicating that the base station has observed the preamble andthat the UE is allowed to continue the RA procedure.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention provide an efficienttechnique for the signaling of the preamble responses over aggregatedcarriers.

A straightforward generalization of the RA procedure for LTE-A with morethan one CC would be such that preambles, observed on different CCs, areacknowledged separately by the base station (e.g., by the eNB). That is,when a preamble is observed in the UL of a CC, the acknowledgment issent in the DL of the same CC (for TDD) or in the DL CC paired with theUL CC (for FDD). While this may be the simplest approach, it does notprovide a most efficient and flexible system for at least the followingreasons.

Note first that in the FDD case there are pairs of UL and DL carriers,and the response is sent in the paired DL carrier. However, for LTE-Athis is not necessarily the case, as there may be more or fewer ULcarriers than DL carriers. Furthermore, even when there are an equalnumber of UL and DL carriers available, a specific UE maybe allocatedonly a part of those carriers (possibly a different number in UL andDL). For example, for LTE-A one of the DL component carriers could beconsidered as a primary component carrier and random access responsescould be sent via this one component carrier only, whereas the randomaccess request could be sent via any available UL component carrier.

As a first reason, PDCCH resources are not used efficiently since aPDCCH entry is needed per each carrier with an observed preamble.

Second, the use of this technique may result in a delay if the preambleresponse must be postponed by the eNB due to a lack of PDCCH resources.

Third, PDSCH resources are not utilized in the most efficient mannerbecause many small response messages are sent instead of one largermessage.

Furthermore, there is little or no flexibility in selecting a mostsuitable CC for sending the RA response. For example, the base station(eNB) may be forced to send the response in a CC having few DLsub-frames (it may be assumed that UL/DL configurations can be differentat least in the case of non-contiguous CC configurations), or in a CCwith a large PDCCH load due to a large number of UEs to schedule.

In addition, the foregoing approach does not support a system where allof the RA preambles would be acknowledged in a primary CC that all ofthe UEs would be listening to. That is, even if the preamble would besent on another CC (in order to distribute the RA load) the UEs wouldnever need to listen to more than one CC in the DL. The use of theconventional approach would assume having to resume listening to the CCpaired with the UL carrier on which the preamble has been sent (whenexpecting a preamble response), or receiving from more than one CC.

An efficient and flexible system for carrying preamble responses is thusneeded for with the use of multiple CCs, such as in LTE-A.

Before describing in further detail the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention, reference is made to FIG. 2A for illustrating a simplifiedblock diagram of various electronic devices and apparatus that aresuitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention. In FIG. 2A a wireless network 1 is adapted for communicationover a wireless link 11 with an apparatus, such as a mobilecommunication device which may be referred to as a UE 10, via a networkaccess node, such as a Node B (base station), and more specifically aneNB 12. The network 1 may include a network control element (NCE) 14that may include the MME/SGW functionality shown in FIG. 1A, and whichprovides connectivity with a network 1, such as a telephone networkand/or a data communications network (e.g., the internet). The UE 10includes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) 10A,a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 10B thatstores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 10C, and a suitableradio frequency (RF) transceiver 10D for bidirectional wirelesscommunications with the eNB 12 via one or more antennas. The eNB 12 alsoincludes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) 12A,a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 12B thatstores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 12C, and a suitable RFtransceiver 12D for communication with the UE 10 via one or moreantennas. The eNB 12 is coupled via a data/control path 13 to the NCE14. The path 13 may be implemented as the S1 interface shown in FIG. 1A.The eNB 12 may also be coupled to another eNB via data/control path 15,which may be implemented as the X2 interface shown in FIG. 1A.

At least one of the PROGs 10C and 12C is assumed to include programinstructions that, when executed by the associated DP, enable the deviceto operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention, as will be discussed below in greater detail.

That is, the exemplary embodiments of this invention maybe implementedat least in part by computer software executable by the DP 10A of the UE10 and/or by the DP 12A of the eNB 12, or by hardware, or by acombination of software and hardware (and firmware).

For the purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention the UE 10 may be assumed to also include a RACH function ormodule 10E, and the eNB 12 also includes a corresponding RACH functionor module 12E, both of which are configured for operation in accordancewith the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

The UE 10 may be a Rel-8 compatible UE, or a later than Rel-8 UE, suchas a Rel-9 or an LTE-A compatible UE. In general, there will be somepopulation of UEs 10 served by the eNB 12, and the population may bemixed between UEs operating as Rel-8, Rel-9 and LTE-A UEs, asnon-limiting examples.

In general, the various embodiments of the UE 10 can include, but arenot limited to, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs)having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers havingwireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such asdigital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gamingdevices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage andplayback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internetappliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, as well asportable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of suchfunctions.

The computer readable MEMs 10B and 12B may be of any type suitable tothe local technical environment and may be implemented using anysuitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memorydevices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, opticalmemory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The DPs10A and 12A may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers,special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors(DSPs) and processors based on multi-core processor architectures, asnon-limiting examples.

FIG. 2B illustrates further detail of an exemplary UE 10 in both planview (left) and sectional view (right), and the invention may beembodied in one or some combination of those more function-specificcomponents. At FIG. 2B the UE 10 has a graphical display interface 20and a user interface 22 illustrated as a keypad but understood as alsoencompassing touchscreen technology at the graphical display interface20 and voice recognition technology received at the microphone 24. Apower actuator 26 controls the device being turned on and off by theuser. The exemplary UE 10 may have a camera 28 which is shown as beingforward facing (e.g., for video calls) but may alternatively oradditionally be rearward facing (e.g., for capturing images and videofor local storage). The camera 28 is controlled by a shutter actuator 30and optionally by a zoom actuator 30 which may alternatively function asa volume adjustment for the speaker(s) 34 when the camera 28 is not inan active mode.

Within the sectional view of FIG. 2B are seen multiple transmit/receiveantennas 36 that are typically used for cellular communication. Theantennas 36 maybe multi-band for use with other radios in the UE. Theoperable ground plane for the antennas 36 is shown by shading asspanning the entire space enclosed by the UE housing though in someembodiments the ground plane may be limited to a smaller area, such asdisposed on a printed wiring board on which the power chip 38 is formed.The power chip 38 controls power amplification on the channels beingtransmitted and/or across the antennas that transmit simultaneouslywhere spatial diversity is used, and amplifies the received signals. Thepower chip 38 outputs the amplified received signal to the radiofrequency (RF) chip 40 which demodulates and downconverts the signal forbaseband processing. The baseband (BB) chip 42 detects the signal whichis then converted to a bit stream and finally decoded. Similarprocessing occurs in reverse for signals generated in the apparatus 10and transmitted from it.

Signals going to and from the camera 28 pass through an image/videoprocessor 44 that encodes and decodes various image frames. A separateaudio processor 46 may also be present controlling signals to and fromthe speakers 34 and the microphone 24. The graphical display interface20 is refreshed from a frame memory 48 as controlled by a user interfacechip 50 which may process signals to and from the display interface 20and/or additionally process user inputs from the keypad 22 andelsewhere.

Certain embodiments of the UE 10 may also include one or more secondaryradios such as a wireless local area network radio WLAN 37 and aBluetooth radio 39, which may incorporate an antenna on-chip or becoupled to an off-chip antenna. Throughout the apparatus are variousmemories such as random access memory RAM 43, read only memory ROM 45,and in some embodiments removable memory such as the illustrated memorycard 47 on which the various programs 10C are stored. All of thesecomponents within the UE 10 are normally powered by a portable powersupply such as a battery 49.

The processors 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, if embodied as separate entitiesin a UE 10 or eNB 12, may operate in a slave relationship to the mainprocessor 10A, 12A, which may then be in a master relationship to them.Embodiments of this invention may be localized, or they may be embodiedacross various chips and memories as shown, or disposed within anotherprocessor that combines some of the functions described above for FIG.2B. Any or all of these various processors of FIG. 2B access one or moreof the various memories, which may be on-chip with the processor orseparate from the processor. Similar function-specific components thatare directed toward communications over a network broader than a piconet(e.g., components 36, 38, 40, 42, 45 and 47) may also be disposed inexemplary embodiments of the access node 12, which may have an array oftower-mounted antennas rather than the two shown at FIG. 2B.

Note that the various integrated circuits (e.g., chips 38, 40, 42, etc.)that were described above may be combined into a fewer number thandescribed and, in a most compact case, may all be embodied physicallywithin a single chip.

Describing now in further detail the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention, there is provided a method, computer program and apparatusconfigured to enable bundling of RA preamble responses that are sent forpreambles observed in different time and frequency resources and ondifferent component carriers such that the bundled preamble response issent on one component carrier. This minimizes the use of PDCCHresources, and may as well beneficially reduce the UE 10 receivercomplexity and access procedure delay. As was noted above, a PDCCHresource may instead be needed either for each preamble or group ofpreambles sent on each carrier component. In accordance with theexemplary embodiments of this invention the eNB 12 is able to respond toRACH requests on different carrier components and combine the message 2response on a DL resource of a single carrier. This enables the UE 10RACH 10E decoder operation to be simplified; for example only on onecarrier frequency may be needed.

More specifically, after transmitting a preamble on a CC the UE 10receives the Random Access response on a PDSCH of a CC. There are anumber of ways to define which CC is used by the RACH function 12E ofthe eNB 12 for sending the RA preamble response. Several non-limitingexamples include:

A) The CC may be freely selected by the eNB 12 from the set of CCs whichthe UE 10 is monitoring. This gives full flexibility to the eNB 12, butat the expense UE 10 receiver simplification, as the UE 10 shouldmonitor all alternative DL slots within the specified time window untila matching preamble response is found.

B) A pre-defined rule known to both the eNB 12 and to at least some ofthe UEs 10 may be used to define the CC. To minimize therequest-response delay, one exemplary rule uses the CC which has thefirst suitable DL slot (as the UE 10 is aware of the UL/DLconfigurations of all the CCs). For a case where the first suitabledownlink slot occurs on multiple CCs at the same time, another rule(e.g., use the highest frequency subcarrier from the set of availablesubcarriers) is used to unambiguously specify which CC is being used forthe preamble response.

C) Another technique is to use explicit signaling. This can be commonsignaling, e.g., in the form of system information (SI) which may beincluded in the same system information block (SIB) with the RACHparameters, to signal the preferred CC or CCs for RA preamble responses.Another approach to explicit signaling is for the UE 10 to specify inthe UL request on which CC it expects to receive the response. Whileattractive at least for its simplicity from the UE 10 perspective, thisapproach may not be the most optimum at least for the reason that theRACH resource space is limited, and the UE 10 has no informationconcerning the DL load situation of different CCs (in other words, itmay be more preferable that the eNB 12 select the CC in which torespond).

Each response may include an indication of the CC on which the preamblewas received, the sequence, frequency and subframe index, a timingadvance (TA) command and the UL grant, and multiple ones of theseresponses are bundled in the same response message that is assigned witha RA-RNTI. The RA-RNTI can be, for example, any RA-RNTI reserved forassigning PDSCH resources for preamble responses. This is true at leastfor the reason that (for LTE-A UEs 10) the PRACH resource (CC, frequencywithin the CC and subframe) of the observed preamble are givenexplicitly in the response, as opposed to being indicated by the RA-RNTIas in the case of Rel-8/9 UEs 10).

Responses for Rel-8/9 UEs and LTE-A UEs can be bundled into the samemessage. In order to maintain backwards compatibility with Rel-8/9 UEs10 the responses sent to the LTE-A UEs 10 may be inserted into that partof the response message that Rel-8/9 UEs expect to see as padding (andwhich they may simply just ignore). If there are only responses to LTE-AUEs 10 to be sent, a special RA-RNTI may be used for indicating this.Another exemplary embodiment inserts a byte of backoff (BO) controlinformation (e.g., one with a BO value equal to 0, meaning no effect,and extension flag=0) in the beginning of the response message forindicating to Rel-8/9 UEs 10 that there are no responses for them.

Reference can be made to FIG. 6, which shows one exemplary embodiment ofa signaling scheme to provide additional information for those UEs 10 ofa later release (e.g., LTE-A) that is sent in the portion of the messagethat the UEs 10 of an earlier release (e.g., Rel-8 or Rel-9) regard aspadding. Note the use of a bit or byte to specify to the later releaseUEs that the padding does not begin at the indicated location, butinstead that what is contained are one or more RA responses for laterrelease UEs 10.

In another exemplary embodiment of this invention the continuation ofthe message is indicated to the UEs 10 of the later release by utilizingone or more bits marked as reserved bits in the specification of theearlier release. For instance, there are two reserved bits, indicatedwith “R” in the E/T/R/R/BI header of the random access response MAC PDU(see FIG. 6.1.5-2 of 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0). One of these bits, or acombination of bit values, may be used to indicate to a UE 10 of thelater release that there may be a response for it in the message portionregarded as padding by the UEs 10 of the earlier release. Typically a UE10 would not examine or consider any bit or bits indicated as beingreserved in a message, and thus backwards compatibility with the earlierrelease UEs 10 is maintained. It should be noted that this embodimentdoes not require that the random access requests are sent on differentcomponent carriers, i.e., this embodiment can be applied also in thesimple case where there is only one component carrier. Then the randomaccess request (preamble) is sent in one of the resources allocated forRACH and the response is received as in Rel-8. But depending on the casethe response message may contain either a) response(s) in Rel-8 format,or b) responses in both Rel-8 and LTE-A formats, or c) response(s) onlyin LTE-A format. For case a) nothing new is needed. For case b) theapproach of FIG. 9A can be used, and for case c) the approach of FIG. 9Bcan be used.

The RAR for LTE-A may be different from Rel-8 due to several reasons.One reason is already mentioned: if responses for multiple RACHresources or component carriers are included, then the RAR needs tocontain the RACH resource index and the component carrier index. Also,the resource allocation for the LTE-A UEs maybe different from theresource allocation for Rel-8/9 UEs, e.g., if the allocation is for adifferent component carrier than the one where the allocation is sent.

The foregoing description assumes that the eNB 12 has knowledge of thecapability (release level) of the UE 10 that has sent a preamble. Thisimplies that Rel-8/9 and LTE-A UEs use different parameters (e.g., oneor more of sequences or frequency or time resources). If instead thesame preamble resources are shared between Rel-8/9 and LTE-A UEs 10, theexemplary embodiments of this invention may still be utilized for thebundling of responses to dedicated preambles since the eNB 12 knows thecapability of a UE 10 when it orders the UE 10 to begin a non-contentionbased random access. In general, it may be the case that more than 50%of the RACH load may typically be the result of transmission ofdedicated preambles for adjusting timing of RRC-connected UEs due tohandovers and DL data arrivals.

A non-limiting example is now provided as to the operation of theexemplary embodiments of this invention for a TDD non-contiguous carriersystem. In that it maybe assumed that the lower frequency band hasbetter coverage than the higher frequency band (e.g., see FIG. 3, FIG.4), one advantageous implementation uses more DL subframes in the lowerfrequency band. For example, assume that a particular UE 10 has 900 MHzand 2 GHz carrier components, and on the 900 MHz component the UE 10uses U/D configuration 4, and on the 2 GHz component the UE 10 usesconfiguration 0 (see again FIG. 1B, which shows the uplink-downlinkconfigurations specified in 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0). The UE 10 may selectrandomly on which CC to transmit the RACH transmission (orre-transmission) if the lower frequency carries a heavy RACH load. Byassuming that at least one low frequency component carrier is common forall CCs of the UEs, the UE 10 monitoring all RACH responses of the CCand within the maximum time response window 10 ms of each UL/DLconfiguration of each CC, a RA-RNTI is reserved at the common or defaultcomponent carrier for all UEs.

As previously considered the same preamble is assigned to each CC of theUE 10, and at least one RA-RNTI is reserved for each CC. However, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention, only oneRA-RNTI is used for all CCs. FIG. 7 illustrates a conventional approachin the response of the RA-RNTI to PRACHs in UpPTS or an UL subframe in anon-contiguous CC system, while FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of theexemplary embodiments of this invention

In a case where there are fewer DL subframes in the UL/DL frameconfiguration on one UE 10 CC, e.g., for configurations 0, 1, and 6 ofTable 4.2-2 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0 (see again FIG. 1B herein), theresponses are as show, for example, in FIG. 7, using one PDCCH resourcefor up to 10 PRACHs in 10 ms on each CC. However, by using the bundledresponse approach in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention over different CCs on message 2 in responses to PRACHs PDCCHresources are conserved, and response latencies are deduced, as shown inFIG. 8.

On the UE side, when one preamble is sent on one CC of the UE 10 itautomatically searches for the PDCCH within its response window, but onthe lower frequency or the default component carrier. The responsewindow is at most 10 ms long, and it begins 2 ms after the UL subframein which the RA preamble was transmitted. The UE 10 searches for theresponse on the lower frequency carrier for the PDCCH and thecorresponding response message on the PDSCH.

FIG. 9 shows the merging of the preamble responses for UEs 10 ofdifferent capability in accordance with exemplary aspects of thisinvention.

By way of clarification, reference may be made to 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0, subclause 6.1.5: MAC PDU (Random Access Response), and to FIGS.1D-1G, which reproduce FIGS. 6.1.5-1 through 6.1.5-4 of 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0. A MAC PDU is said to consist of a MAC header and one or more MACRandom Access Responses (MAC RAR) and optionally padding as described inFIG. 1F. The MAC header is of variable size. A MAC PDU header consistsof one or more MAC PDU subheaders; each subheader corresponding to a MACRAR except for the Backoff Indicator subheader. If included, the BackoffIndicator subheader is only included once, and is the first subheaderincluded within the MAC PDU header. A MAC PDU subheader consists of thethree header fields E/T/RAPID (as described in FIG. 1D), but for theBackoff Indicator subheader which consists of the five header fieldE/T/R/R/BI (as described in FIG. 1E). A MAC RAR consists of the fourfields R/Timing Advance Command/UL Grant/Temporary C-RNTI (as describedin FIG. 1F). Padding may occur after the last MAC RAR. The presence andlength of the padding is implicit based on TB size, size of MAC headerand number of RARs. FIG. 1G depicts an example of a MAC PDU containing aMAC header and MAC RARs.

Returning to FIG. 9, assume that both earlier release (e.g., Rel-8) andlater release (e.g., LTE-A) UEs read the backoff indicator (BI) sent inthe first byte. In the first example (A) the preamble acknowledgementsare sent for the UEs of both the earlier and the later releases. Theacknowledgements for the UEs of the later release are in that part ofthe message that the UEs 10 of the earlier release regard as padding(see again FIG. 6). As an example, a value of 0 in the second bit ofpadding portion is used to indicate to the UEs of the later release thatthere may be preamble acknowledgements for them in the remainder of themessage. In the example (B), preamble acknowledgements are sent only forthe UEs of the later release (note again the value of 0 in the secondbit of the padding).

There are a number of advantages and technical effects that may berealized by the use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention. Forexample, there can be realized a saving of PDCCH resources on differentCCs, as well as reduction in the complexity of the UE 10 receiveroperation during the reception of the RACH response. This implies thatUE 10 receiver operation on 2-5 different RF carriers is not necessary.Further by example, there are reduced constraints on resourceallocation, as well as potentially a reduced delay due to a high densityof PRACH messages associated with limited PDCCH resources on somecomponent carriers.

Note that later release UEs 10, such as LTE-A UEs, may use a differentpreamble group set than earlier release, e.g., Rel-8/9, UEs todistinguish themselves to the eNB 12.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention may also be used in the FDDsystem, when there are one or several PRACH time resources per 10 ms andper component carrier. Bundling of responses to preambles that have beenobserved at different CCs can save PDCCH resources without introducingany additional delay.

One specific and non-limiting advantage and technical effect that isgained by the use of these exemplary embodiments is an ability to bundleor aggregate in a single DL CC RA responses to RA preambles receivedfrom a population of UEs on a plurality of UL CCs.

Referring to FIG. 10, based on the foregoing it should be apparent thatthe exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method, andcomputer program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, toperform steps and operations of (Block 10A) receiving at a networkaccess node, in different time and frequency resources that areallocated for preamble transmission, and in different ones of aplurality of component carriers, a plurality of random access requestsfrom individual ones of a plurality of user equipments; and (Block 10B)transmitting a message comprising a corresponding plurality of randomaccess responses in a time and frequency resource of a single componentcarrier.

Note that the time and frequency resources that are allocated forpreamble transmission may be considered to be those wherein the UE 10 ispermitted or allowed to transmit the random access preamble. Notefurther, however, that at least in Rel-8 the eNB 12 may schedule a UE totransmit normal data using those time and frequency resources. Thus,while the time and frequency resources may be allocated for RACH,another (different) use may also be permitted.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where theplurality of random access responses are transmitted on a physicaldownlink shared channel.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where thesingle component carrier is selected freely by the network access nodefrom a set of component carriers.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where thesingle component carrier is selected by the network access node inaccordance with at least one rule.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where the atleast one rule comprises selecting the single component carrier as beingone having a first available downlink slot and, for a case where morethan one of the component carriers each simultaneously contain anavailable downlink slot, selecting as the single component carrier thecomponent carrier having the highest frequency subcarrier.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where thesingle component carrier is specified by the use of explicit signaling.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where theexplicit signaling comprises use of system information transmitted fromthe network access node.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where thecorresponding plurality of random access responses are for a first typeof user equipment and for a second type of user equipment, and wherethere is at least one random access response for one of the second typeof user equipment that is placed in a message at a location that neednot be read by the first type of user equipment.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where themessage comprises an indicator that is set for indicating that themessage contains the at least one random access response for one of thesecond type of user equipment.

The method and the computer program instructions as above, where thelocation that need not be read by the first type of user equipment is ina message padding portion, and where the indicator is also in themessage padding portion.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention also pertain to an apparatusthat comprises a controller configured to operate with a wirelessreceiver and a wireless transmitter, where the controller is furtherconfigured respond to a reception in different time and frequencyresources allocated for preamble transmission, and in different ones ofa plurality of component carriers, a plurality of random access requestsfrom individual ones of a plurality of user equipments and to transmit acorresponding plurality of random access responses in a time andfrequency resource of a single component carrier.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention also pertain to an apparatusthat comprises means for receiving at a network access node, indifferent time and frequency resources allocated for preambletransmission, and in different ones of a plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality of random access requests from individual ones ofa plurality of user equipments; and means for transmitting acorresponding plurality of random access responses in a time andfrequency resource of a single component carrier.

Referring to FIG. 11, based on the foregoing it should be apparent thatthe exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method, andcomputer program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, toperform steps and operations of (Block 11A) transmitting to a networkaccess node, in a time and frequency resource of one of a plurality ofcomponent carriers, a random access request; and (Block 11B) receiving amessage comprising a random access response that is aggregated withother random access responses in a time and frequency resource of thesame or a different component carrier (or a same or different pairedcomponent carrier for the FDD case).

Referring to FIG. 12, based on the foregoing it should be apparent thatthe exemplary embodiments of this invention also provide a method, andcomputer program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, toperform steps and operations of (Block 12A) receiving at a networkaccess node, in a time and frequency resource associated with a firstfrequency band, a random access request from a user equipment; and(Block 12B) transmitting a corresponding random access response in atime and frequency resource associated with a second frequency band.

The various blocks shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 may be viewed as methodsteps, and/or as operations that result from operation of computerprogram code, and/or as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elementsconstructed to carry out the associated function(s), such as thefunctions of the RACH module 12E or RACH module 10E, respectively, ofFIG. 2A.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention also pertain to an apparatusthat comprises a controller configured to operate with a wirelessreceiver and a wireless transmitter, where the controller is furtherconfigured to transmit to a network access node, in a time and frequencyresource reserved for preamble transmission, of one of a plurality ofcomponent carriers, a random access request, and to receive a randomaccess response that is aggregated with other random access responses ina time and frequency resource of the same or a different componentcarrier.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention also pertain to an apparatusthat comprises means for transmitting to a network access node, in atime and frequency resource of one of a plurality of component carriers,a random access request; and for receiving a random access response thatis aggregated with other random access responses in a time and frequencyresource of the same or a different component carrier, or in a pairedcomponent carrier.

The exemplary embodiments of this invention also pertain to an apparatusthat comprises means for transmitting to a network access node, in atime and frequency resource of one of a plurality of component carriers,a random access request; and for receiving a random access response in atime and frequency resource of a different component carrier.

In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented inhardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combinationthereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, whileother aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may beexecuted by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device,although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects ofthe exemplary embodiments of this invention may be illustrated anddescribed as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorialrepresentation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus,systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in,as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purposecircuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or othercomputing devices, or some combination thereof.

It should thus be appreciated that at least some aspects of theexemplary embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in variouscomponents such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that theexemplary embodiments of this invention may be realized in an apparatusthat is embodied as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, orcircuits, may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) forembodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, adigital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radiofrequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordancewith the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplaryembodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled inthe relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and allmodifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting andexemplary embodiments of this invention.

It should be noted that the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variantthereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect,between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one ormore intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or“coupled” together. The coupling or connection between the elements canbe physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein twoelements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” together bythe use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electricalconnections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such aselectromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region,the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible)region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

Further, the various names used for the described parameters (e.g.,RA-RNTI) are not intended to be limiting in any respect, as theseparameters may be identified by any suitable names. Further, anyformulas and expressions that use these various parameters may differfrom those expressly disclosed herein. Further, the various namesassigned to different channels (e.g., PRACH, PDCCH, PDSCH, etc.) are notintended to be limiting in any respect, as these various channels may beidentified by any suitable names.

Furthermore, some of the features of the various non-limiting andexemplary embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage withoutthe corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoingdescription should be considered as merely illustrative of theprinciples, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, andnot in limitation thereof.

1. A method, comprising: receiving at a network access node, indifferent time and frequency resources that are allocated for preambletransmission, and in different ones of a plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality of random access requests from individual ones ofa plurality of user equipments; and transmitting a correspondingplurality of random access responses in a time and frequency resource ofa single component carrier.
 2. The method of claim 1, where theplurality of random access responses are transmitted on a physicaldownlink shared channel.
 3. The method as in claim 1, where the singlecomponent carrier is selected freely by the network access node from aset of component carriers.
 4. The method as in claim 1, where the singlecomponent carrier is selected by the network access node in accordancewith at least one rule.
 5. The method of claim 4, where the at least onerule comprises selecting the single component carrier as being onehaving a first available downlink slot and, for a case where more thanone of the component carriers each simultaneously contain an availabledownlink slot, selecting as the single component carrier the componentcarrier having the highest frequency subcarrier.
 6. The method as inclaim 1, where the single component carrier is specified by the use ofexplicit signaling.
 7. The method as in claim 6, where the explicitsignaling comprises use of system information transmitted from thenetwork access node.
 8. The method as in claim 1, where thecorresponding plurality of random access responses are for a first typeof user equipment and for a second type of user equipment, and wherethere is at least one random access response for one of the second typeof user equipment that is placed in a message at a location that neednot be read by the first type of user equipment.
 9. The method as inclaim 8, where the message comprises an indicator that is set forindicating that the message contains the at least one random accessresponse for one of the second type of user equipment.
 10. The method asin claim 9, where the location that need not be read by the first typeof user equipment is in a message padding portion of the first type ofuser equipment.
 11. The method as in claim 10, where the indicator isplaced in a message padding portion, or is placed in one or more bits ofthe message that are considered by the first type of user equipment asbeing reserved.
 12. The method as in claim 1, that is performed as aresult of the execution of program instructions stored in a computerreadable medium.
 13. An apparatus, comprising: a controller configuredto operate with a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, saidcontroller further configured to respond to a reception in differenttime and frequency resources that are allocated for preambletransmission, and in different ones of a plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality of random access requests from individual ones ofa plurality of user equipments and to transmit a corresponding pluralityof random access responses in a time and frequency resource of a singlecomponent carrier.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, where the plurality ofrandom access responses are transmitted on a physical downlink sharedchannel.
 15. The apparatus as in claim 13, where the single componentcarrier is selected freely by the controller from a set of componentcarriers.
 16. The apparatus as in claim 13, where the single componentcarrier is selected by the controller in accordance with at least onerule, where the at least one rule causes the controller to select thesingle component carrier as being one having a first available downlinkslot and, for a case where more than one of the component carriers eachsimultaneously contain an available downlink slot, to select as thesingle component carrier the component carrier having the highestfrequency subcarrier.
 17. The apparatus as in claim 13, where the singlecomponent carrier is specified by the use of explicit signaling.
 18. Theapparatus as in claim 17, where the explicit signaling comprises use ofsystem information.
 19. The apparatus as in claim 13, where thecorresponding plurality of random access responses are for a first typeof user equipment and for a second type of user equipment, and wherethere is at least one random access response for one of the second typeof user equipment that is placed in a message padding portion that neednot be read by the first type of user equipment.
 20. A method,comprising: receiving at a network access node, in a time and frequencyresource associated with a first frequency band, a random access requestfrom a user equipment; and transmitting a corresponding random accessresponse in a time and frequency resource associated with a secondfrequency band.
 21. The method of claim 20, where transmitting comprisestransmitting a plurality of aggregated random access responses for acorresponding plurality of user equipments in response to random accessrequests received in different time and frequency resources associatedwith the first frequency band, the second frequency band, or anotherfrequency band.
 22. A method, comprising: transmitting to a networkaccess node, in a time and frequency resource allocated for preambletransmission, of one of a plurality of component carriers, a randomaccess request; and receiving a random access response that isaggregated with other random access responses in a time and frequencyresource of the same or a different component carrier.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, where the random access response is received on a physicaldownlink shared channel.
 24. The method as in claim 22, where the randomaccess response is received in a component carrier that is selectedfreely by the network access node from the plurality of componentcarriers, or where the random access response is received in a componentcarrier selected by the network access node in accordance with at leastone rule, or where the random access response is received in a componentcarrier specified by the use of explicit signaling.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, where the at least one rule comprises selecting the componentcarrier as being one having a first available downlink slot and, for acase where more than one of the component carriers each simultaneouslycontain an available downlink slot, selecting as the component carrier acomponent carrier having a highest frequency subcarrier.
 26. The methodas in claim 24, where the explicit signaling comprises reception ofsystem information transmitted from the network access node.
 27. Themethod as in claim 22, where the aggregated random access responses arefor a first type of user equipment and for a second type of userequipment, where there is at least one random access response for one ofthe second type of user equipment that is placed in a message at alocation that need not be read by the first type of user equipment, andwhere the message comprises an indicator that is set for indicating thatthe message contains the at least one random access response for one ofthe second type of user equipment.
 28. The method as in claim 27, wherethe location that need not be read by the first type of user equipmentis in a message padding portion, and where the indicator is placed inthe message padding portion or is placed in a bit or bits considered asreserved by the first type of user equipment.
 29. The method as in claim22, performed as a result of execution of computer program instructionsstored in a computer readable medium that comprises a part of a userequipment.
 30. The method as in claim 22, performed as a result ofoperation of a controller that comprises a part of a user equipment. 31.An apparatus, comprising: a controller configured to operate with awireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, where the controller isfurther configured to transmit to a network access node in a time andfrequency resource allocated for preamble transmission, of one of aplurality of component carriers, a random access request, and to receivea random access response that is aggregated with other random accessresponses in a time and frequency resource of the same or a differentcomponent carrier.